Demons confident of keeping Colin Garland

The Melbourne Demons and restricted free agent Colin Garland haven’t started contract negotiations as of yet, but it’s expected they’ll begin talking things over within the next four weeks. AFL.com.au reports that Melbourne wants to keep Garland and they’re confident of doing so. Garland will be a hotly sough-after commodity as a free agent especially after potential free agent backmen Alex Rance, Heath Grundy and Michael Johnson have all re-signed with their clubs. For all the latest footy news be sure to check out the CrownBet AFL Info page.

Garland got off to a good start this season by playing in Melbourne’s first 10 outings, but he’s been sidelined for the past pair of games due to a broken hand suffered in a recent defeat by Collingwood. The 27-year-old is anxious to get back on the field and the Demons are hoping he can do so in the 14th round when they take on the West Coast Eagles. The Demons have lost several important players to free agency over the past few years and don’t want to see another one walk away from the club. The CrownBet AFL Info site is an ideal place to keep up to date on all the recent football events.

Melbourne has seen Jared Rivers sign with the Geelong Cats back in 2012, while Colin Sylvia left the next year for the Fremantle Dockers and James Frawley signed with the Hawthorn Hawks just last year. The Demons are 4-8 after a dozen contests this year, which means they should easily improve on their win total for the past four years. The club hasn’t reached the five-win total in any season since back in 2011. They’re getting encouraging performances from young players such as Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw, Tom McDonald and Jesse Hogan and Garland could be convinced to stay. There is plenty of breaking news at the CrownBet AFL Info page.

If he decides to leave the Demons, there are several teams who should be interested in Garland’s backline services, such the Cats, the Carlton Blues, the St Kilda Saints, the Brisbane Lions, and the Western Bulldogs. Experts believe he may be offered as much as $500,000 a year if he tests the open market as he’s believed to be making approximately $400,000 this year. But since Garland isn’t an unrestricted free agent, the Demons are entitled to match any offer the restricted free agent receives. For all the latest CrownBet AFL Info, don’t forget to pay their site a visit.

Since Rance, Grundy and Johnson have all re-signed, Robbie Tarrant of North Melbourne is also attracting a lot of attention from teams in search of a key defender. There are other players who will be out of contract at the end of the campaign including Lachie Henderson of Carlton, Jake Carlisle of Essendon and Gold Coast’s Rory Thompson. It’s likely that the market value for Garland will depend on whether or not these defenders re-sign with their teams. The CrownBet AFL Info page also provides punters and fans with the latest odds and wagering options.

Garland was chosen by the demons with the 46th overall pick in the 2006 national draft and has made 125 appearances since then. He placed as the runner up in Melbourne’s best and fairest award voting in 2013 and was also nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star award in 2008. For more footy updates, don’t forget to head to the CrownBet AFL Info site.